ISLAMABAD (AP) — After nearly 30 years, Pakistan will host its first major International Cricket Council (ICC) tournament since co-hosting the 1996 World Cup with Sri Lanka and India.
The Champions Trophy begins Wednesday, marking a significant moment for cricket in the country.
The 2009 terror attack on Sri Lanka’s cricket team in Lahore kept international teams away for almost a decade due to security fears. However, the return of the Sri Lankan test team in 2019 signaled a gradual revival of international cricket in Pakistan.
Cricket, the nation's most beloved sport, has made strides in welcoming major tournaments. Yet, political tensions with India persist. Due to these strained relations, India will play its matches in the UAE, adopting a hybrid hosting model.
India hasn’t played in Pakistan since 2008, with encounters mostly limited to major tournaments. Pakistan toured India for the 2023 World Cup, but India’s refusal to reciprocate initially cast doubt on this event. A compromise was reached, mirroring the 2023 Asia Cup setup, where India played its games in Sri Lanka. Pakistan will also host the 2028 Women’s T20 World Cup, with a similar neutral venue arrangement for Indian matches until 2027.
A highly anticipated clash between the rivals will take place in Dubai on Feb. 23. Pakistan will host 10 matches, including a semifinal, while Lahore will host the final on March 9, provided India doesn’t qualify.
The Champions Trophy, an eight-nation limited-overs tournament, returns after its last edition in 2017, where Pakistan defeated India in the final. First held in 1998, the event shifted from a biennial to a four-year cycle.
Pakistan, initially set to host the 2008 edition, saw it moved to South Africa due to security concerns. India was slated to host in 2021, but the tournament was replaced by the T20 World Cup in the UAE.
This year’s participants, based on 2023 World Cup rankings, include Pakistan, India, New Zealand, and Bangladesh in Group A, with England, South Africa, Australia, and Afghanistan in Group B. Sri Lanka and the West Indies failed to qualify.
Calls to boycott matches against Afghanistan emerged due to the Taliban’s restrictions on women’s sports. Politicians from England and South Africa advocated for boycotts, but both countries confirmed their participation despite condemning Afghanistan’s gender policies.
Key players will miss the tournament due to injuries, including Australia’s Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, India’s Jasprit Bumrah, England’s Jacob Bethell, and Afghanistan’s AM Ghazanfar. New Zealand’s Lockie Ferguson remains uncertain.
Pakistan invested millions in upgrading stadiums in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi within four months. Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium underwent extensive renovations, while Karachi’s National Bank Stadium and Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium also saw significant improvements. The tournament opens Wednesday in Karachi with Pakistan facing New Zealand.